Apparatus and method for reducing volume of resource allocation information message in a broadband wireless communication system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for reducing the volume of a resource allocation information message in a broadband wireless communication system are provided. The method includes transmitting a message including information indicating a periodicity of an uplink control channel for an initial network entry; and receiving an uplink signal for the initial network entry through the uplink control channel.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/774,923, which was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office onJul. 9, 2007, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to KoreanApplication Serial Nos. 10-2006-0064126 and 10-2006-0066545, which werefiled in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jul. 7, 2006 andJul. 14, 2006, respectively, the entire content of each of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a broadband wirelesscommunication system, and in particular, to an apparatus and method forreducing the volume of a resource allocation information message in abroadband wireless communication system.

2. Description of the Related Art

A future-generation communication system called a 4th Generation (4G)system is under an active study to provide services with differentQuality of Service (QoS) requirements to users at or above 100 Mbps. Anespecially active research area concerns provisioning of high-speedservices with mobility and QoS ensured to a Broadband Wireless Access(BWA) communication system such as a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)and a Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN). Such a majorcommunication system is an Institute of Electrical and Electronics(IEEE) 802.16e system.

Main standards developed by the IEEE 802.16 working groups are IEEE802.16d and IEEE 802.16e that are categorized into single carrier,Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), and OrthogonalFrequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). The IEEE 802.16d/e OFDMAstandard defines DownLink (DL) and UpLink (UL) frame structures withtime and frequency resources and radio channel status-based resourceallocation in the frames in order to effectively transmit digital bitinformation to a receiver.

FIG. 1 illustrates a frame structure in a conventional OFDMAcommunication system.

Referring to FIG. 1, an OFDMA frame includes a DL frame 110 and a ULframe 120.

The DL frame 110 is composed of a preamble 111, a Frame Control Header(FCH) 113, a DL-MAP 115, a UL-MAP 117, and DL data bursts 119.

The preamble 111 provides information by which a Mobile Station (MS)acquires an initial synchronization and performs a cell search. The FCH113 indicates a coding scheme for the DL-MAP 115 and the UL-MAP 117. TheDL-MAP 115 provides a resource allocation information message for eachMS and the UL-MAP 117 provides a resource allocation information messagefor control regions 121 of the UL frame 120 and UL data bursts 123 to betransmitted from MSs. The DL data bursts 119 carry user data from a BaseStation (BS) to MSs.

The UL frame 120 is composed of the control regions 121 and the UL databursts 123. The control regions 121 deliver control information requiredfor communications from the MSs to the BS and the UL data bursts 123carry user data from the MSs to the BS.

The control regions 121 include a ranging channel 151, a Channel QualityInformation (CQI) channel 153, an ACKnowledge (ACK) channel 155, and asounding channel 157.

An MS can transmit data to the BS without resource allocation from theBS on the ranging channel 151. The ranging channel 151 is used for aninitial network entry, a handoff requests, or a resource allocationrequest. The CQI channel 153 notifies the BS of the DL channel status ofthe MS. The ACK channel 155 indicates to the BS whether the MS hasreceived a DL data burst successfully. The sounding channel 157 is aregion from which the BS acquires channel information about the MS.

In the above-described OFDMA frame structure, the MAP information andthe data bursts compete for resources because the MAP regions with theresource allocation information messages and the user data bursts areconfigured in the same frame. The MAP information and the user burstsare in a trade-off relationship in terms of resources. This means thatas the amount of the MAP information increases, the amount of resourcesare available to the user bursts decreases. Although the frame structureis dynamically variable, the case is rare in real system implementation.Particularly, the control regions 121 of the UL frame 120 tend to havethe same configuration in every frame. Transmission of the same resourceallocation information message in every frame leads to the decrease ofresources available to data bursts, thereby decreasing the overall datarate of the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made to substantially solve at least the aboveproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesbelow.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide anapparatus and method for reducing the overhead of a resource allocationinformation message in a broadband wireless communication system.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus andmethod for increasing the data rate of user data through periodictransmission of a resource allocation information message associatedwith a predetermined area in a broadband wireless communication system.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided for operating a base station in a wireless communicationsystem. The method includes transmitting a message including informationindicating a periodicity of an uplink control channel for an initialnetwork entry; and receiving an uplink signal for the initial networkentry through the uplink control channel.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided for operating a mobile station (MS) in a wireless communicationsystem. The method includes receiving a message including informationindicating a periodicity of an uplink control channel for an initialnetwork entry; and transmitting an uplink signal for the initial networkentry through the uplink control channel.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatusis provided for a base station in a wireless communication system. Theapparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a messageincluding information indicating a periodicity of an uplink controlchannel for an initial network entry; and a receiver configured toreceive an uplink signal for the initial network entry through theuplink control channel.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatusis provided for operating a mobile station (MS) in a wirelesscommunication system. The apparatus includes a receiver configured toreceive a message including information indicating a periodicity of anuplink control channel for an initial network entry; and a transmitterconfigured to transmit an uplink signal for the initial network entrythrough the uplink control channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a frame structure in a conventional OFDMAcommunication system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a transmitter in a broadband wirelesscommunication system according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a receiver in the broadband wirelesscommunication system according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a BS for generating aresource allocation information message in the broadband wirelesscommunication system according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in an MS for detecting aresource allocation information message in the broadband wirelesscommunication system according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the BS for generatinga resource allocation information message in the broadband wirelesscommunication system according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the MS for detectinga resource allocation information message in the broadband wirelesscommunication system according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the MS for detectinga resource allocation information message in the broadband wirelesscommunication system according to a third exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, well-known functions or constructions are not described indetail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for increasingthe data rate of a system by reducing the overhead of a resourceallocation information message in a broadband wireless communicationsystem. The following description will be made in the context of anOFDMA system, by way of example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a transmitter of a BS in an OFDMAcommunication system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the transmitter includes a scheduler 201, a MAPgenerator 203, a channel encoder 205, a modulator 207, a resource mapper209, an OFDM modulator 211, a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) 213, anda Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter 215.

The scheduler 201 generates scheduling information for a resourceallocation to a DL data burst region, a UL data burst region, and ULinformation regions (hereinafter, “resource allocation schedulinginformation”). The UL control regions include a ranging channel, a CQIchannel, an ACK channel, and a sounding channel. The CQI channel isequivalent to a fast feedback channel. Particularly, the scheduler 201determines whether to generate information about the resource allocationto the UL control regions (hereinafter, “UL control region allocationinformation”) in accordance with the present invention. The UL controlregion allocation information can be about the entire UL control regionsor part of the UL control regions. When it is time to generate the ULcontrol region allocation information or when the UL control regionallocation information is changed, the scheduler 201 controls the ULcontrol region allocation information to be generated. Especially in thelatter case, the scheduler 201 controls the UL control region allocationinformation to be generated in a predetermined number of successiveframes.

The MAP generator 203 generates a MAP message, i.e. a resourceallocation information message based on the resource allocationscheduling information received from the scheduler 201. Particularly theMAP generator 203 generates a MAP message according to whether the ULcontrol region allocation information has been generated in thescheduler 201, i.e., if the UL control region allocation information isgenerated, the MAP generator 203 generates a MAP message including theUL control region allocation information. In this case, the MAPgenerator 203 includes valid duration information associated with the ULcontrol region allocation information in the MAP message. On the otherhand, if the UL control region allocation information is not generated,the MAP generator 203 generates a MAP message without the UL controlregion allocation information.

The channel encoder 205 encodes the resource allocation informationmessage received from the MAP generator 203 at a predetermined codingrate. The modulator 207 modulates the coded data received from thechannel encoder 205 to symbols in a predetermined modulation scheme(e.g. Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK)).

The resource mapper 209 maps the symbols according to a frame structure,i.e., to subcarriers of a frame. The OFDM modulator 211 converts themapped symbols, i.e. from a frequency signal to a time signal by anInverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT).

The DAC 213 converts the time signal to an analog signal and the RFtransmitter 215 upconverts the analog signal to a carrier frequency andtransmits the carrier-frequency signal through an antenna.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a receiver of an MS in the OFDMAcommunication system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the receiver includes an RF receiver 301, anAnalog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) 303, an OFDM demodulator 305, a MAPextractor 307, a demodulator 309, a channel decoder 311, and a MAPinterpreter 313.

The RF receiver 301 downconverts an RF signal received through anantenna to a baseband signal and the ADC 303 converts the basebandsignal to a digital signal.

The OFDM demodulator 305 converts the time signal received from the ADC303 to a frequency signal by a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The MAPextractor 307 extracts a MAP signal from the frequency signal.

The demodulator 309 demodulates the MAP signal in a predetermineddemodulation scheme and the channel decoder 311 decodes the demodulatedMAP data at a predetermined coding rate.

The MAP interpreter 313 interprets the MAP information received from thechannel decoder 311 and updates information about resources available tothe MS. Especially the MAP interpreter 313 determines whether the MAPinformation includes UL control region allocation information andupdates stored UL control region allocation information correspondinglyin accordance with the present invention. In the presence of the ULcontrol region allocation information in the MAP information, the MAPinterpreter 313 updates the stored UL control region allocationinformation to the new UL control region allocation information. In theabsence of the UL control region allocation information in the MAPinformation, the MAP interpreter 313 keeps the stored UL control regionallocation information. In the case where the MAP message includes validduration information, if the new UL control region allocationinformation has not been received until expiration of a valid durationindicated by the valid duration information, the MAP interpreter 313deletes the stored UL control region allocation information. Herein, ULcontrol regions include a ranging channel, a CQI channel, an ACKchannel, and a sounding channel. The CQI channel is equivalent to a fastfeedback channel.

While not shown, a control signal transmitter carries out UL signaling(e.g. ranging, CQI, ACK, etc.) to the BS based on the UL control regionallocation information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the BS for generatinga resource allocation information message in the OFDMA communicationsystem according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the MAP generator 203 determines whether it is timeto generate a MAP message in step 401. If it is time to generate a MAPmessage, the MAP generator 203 checks a DL and UL resource allocationschedule in step 403.

In step 405, the MAP generator 203 determines whether UL control regionallocation information has been changed by comparing UL control regionallocation information set in the resource allocation schedule with themost recently transmitted UL control region allocation information. Asstated before, UL control regions include a ranging channel, a CQIchannel, an ACK channel, and a sounding channel, and the CQI channel isequivalent to a fast feedback channel.

If the UL control region allocation information has been changed, theMAP generator 203 sets a variable ‘m’ to 0 in step 407. The variable mindicates the number of frames without control region allocationinformation transmitted after the change of the UL control regionallocation information.

In step 409, the MAP generator 203 generates a MAP message with thechanged UL control region allocation information. The UL control regionallocation information may be about all or part of the UL controlregions.

On the other hand, if the UL control region allocation information hasnot been changed, the MAP generator 203 determines whether it is time togenerate UL control region allocation information in step 411.Specifically, the MAP generator 203 counts the number of successive MAPtransmissions without UL control region allocation information after aMAP transmission with UL control region allocation information andcompares the count with a predetermined period for generating the ULcontrol region allocation information. The period is a variable thatdepends on a system setting.

If it is time to generate UL control region allocation information instep 411, the MAP generator 203 generates a MAP message with the ULcontrol region allocation information checked in step 403 in step 409.

If it is not time to generate UL control region allocation informationin step 411, the MAP generator 203 increases the variable m by 1 in step413. If it is not time to generate UL control region allocationinformation after the increase of m, the MAP generator 203 compares mwith a variable ‘N’ in step 415. N indicates the number of successiveframes with UL control region allocation information to ensure receptionof the changed UL control region allocation information, i.e., thechanged UL control region allocation information is transmitted in Nsuccessive frames counted from the time when the UL control regionallocation information has been changed. N depends on a system setting.

If m is less than N, the MAP generator 203 generates the MAP messagewith the UL control region allocation information in step 409.

If m is greater than or equal to N, the MAP generator 203 generates aMAP message without the UL control region allocation information in step417.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the MS for detectinga resource allocation information message in the OFDMA communicationsystem according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the MAP interpreter 313 monitors a reception of aMAP message in step 501.

Upon receipt of the MAP message, the MAP interpreter 313 determineswhether the MAP message includes UL control region allocationinformation in step 503. UL control regions include a ranging channel, aCQI channel, an ACK channel, and a sounding channel, and the CQI channelis equivalent to a fast feedback channel.

In the presence of the UL control region allocation information, the MAPinterpreter 313 updates stored UL control region allocation informationto the received UL control region allocation information in step 505.

In the absence of the UL control region allocation information, the MAPinterpreter 313 keeps the stored UL control region allocationinformation in step 507.

The MAP interpreter 313 checks data burst region information in step 509and then ends the algorithm of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the BS for generatinga resource allocation information message in the OFDMA communicationsystem according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the MAP generator 203 determines whether it is timeto generate a MAP message in step 601. If it is, the MAP generator 203checks a DL and UL resource allocation schedule in step 603.

In step 605, the MAP generator 203 determines whether UL control regionallocation information has been changed, by comparing UL control regionallocation information set in the resource allocation schedule with thelatest transmitted UL control region allocation information. As statedbefore, UL control regions include a ranging channel, a CQI channel, anACK channel, and a sounding channel, and the CQI channel is equivalentto a fast feedback channel.

If the UL control region allocation information has been changed, theMAP generator 203 generates valid duration information for the ULcontrol region allocation information in step 607. Because transmittedUL control region allocation information is not valid after a durationof a period has elapsed, in the case of periodic transmission of ULcontrol region allocation information, the MAP generator 203 generatesvalid duration information to notify an MS of the period.

In step 609, the MAP generator 203 generates a MAP message with thechanged UL control region allocation information and the valid durationinformation. The UL control region allocation information may containinformation about some or all of the UL control regions.

On the other hand, if the UL control region allocation information hasnot been changed in step 605, the MAP generator 203 determines whetherit is time to generate UL control region allocation information in step611. Specifically, the MAP generator 203 counts the number of successiveMAP transmissions without UL control region allocation information aftera MAP transmission with UL control region allocation information, andcompares the count with the period. The period is a variable dependingon a system setting.

If it is not time to generate UL control region allocation informationin step 611, the MAP generator 203 generates a MAP message without theUL control region allocation information in step 613.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the MS for detectinga resource allocation information message in the OFDMA communicationsystem according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the MAP interpreter 313 monitors reception of a MAPmessage in step 701.

Upon receipt of the MAP message, the MAP interpreter 313 determineswhether the MAP message includes UL control region allocationinformation in step 703. UL control regions include a ranging channel, aCQI channel, an ACK channel, and a sounding channel, and the CQI channelis equivalent to a fast feedback channel.

In the presence of the UL control region allocation information, the MAPinterpreter 313 updates stored UL control region allocation informationto the received UL control region allocation information in step 705.

In the absence of the UL control region allocation information, the MAPinterpreter 313 determines whether previous UL control region allocationinformation has been stored in step 707.

If the previous UL control region allocation information has beenstored, the MAP interpreter 313 checks the valid duration of the storedUL control region allocation information in step 709.

If the UL control region allocation information is still valid, the MAPinterpreter 313 keeps the stored UL control region allocationinformation in step 711.

On the contrary, if the UL control region allocation information isdetermined to be invalid in step 709, the MAP interpreter 313 deletesthe stored UL control region allocation information in step 713. Sincethe UL control region allocation information whose valid duration haselapsed is not reliable, use of an area indicated by the UL controlregion allocation information is prevented by deleting the UL controlregion allocation information. Besides the deletion, a flag can be setin the MS to indicate whether the UL control region allocationinformation is valid, or the MS may always check the valid duration ofthe UL control region allocation information.

The MAP interpreter 313 detects data burst region information in step715.

In the above-described embodiments of the present invention, UL controlregion allocation information is periodically generated and included ina MAP message. Here, the UL control region allocation information maydescribe resource allocation to the entire UL control regions or aspecific control region such as a ranging region.

A third embodiment of the present invention is proposed in which the BSsets a valid duration indicator for each UL control region in generatingMAP information. For instance, a Connection IDentifier (CID) included ina UL-MAP Information Element (UL-MAP_IE) can be used as a valid durationindicator for allocation information included in the UL-MAP_IE. For aUL-MAP_IE that provides initial ranging region information, the BSsetting ‘0000’ in a CID included in the UL-MAP_IE may indicate that theinitial ranging region information is valid until new initial rangingregion information is transmitted. The BS setting the CID to ‘ffff’ mayindicate that the initial ranging region information is valid only in aframe carrying the UL-MAP_IE, i.e., the CID of a UL-MAP_IE can be usedto indicate a valid duration used in the second embodiment of thepresent invention, i.e., if the CID is ‘0000’, the valid duration lastsuntil a frame carrying new initial ranging region information isreceived. If the CID is ‘ffff’, the valid duration is confined to oneframe.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention can be contemplated, inwhich UL control region allocation information is transmitted in abroadcast message. The broadcast message is broadcasted not in everyframes. For example, an Uplink Channel Descriptor (UCD) message with anadditional Type-Length-Value (TLV) illustrated in Table 1 below can beused.

TABLE 1 Type Name (1 byte) Length Value Ranging 212 5/10/ The value ofTLV consists of up to 4 Region 15/20 concatenated sections (one sectionper ranging method), each having the following structure: Bit #0-31:Contains same fields as in the section for UIUC = 12 in Table 287 Bit#32-34: Parameter d that defines periodicity in 2{circumflex over ( )}dframes Bit#35-39: Allocation phase expressed in frames Fast 210 5 Bit#0-31: Contains same fields as in the Feedback FAST FEEDBACK AllocationIE in Region Table 295a Bit #32-34: Parameter d that defines periodicityin 2{circumflex over ( )}d frames Bit#35-39: Allocation phase expressedin frames HARQ 211 4 Bit #0-23: Contains same fields as in ACK HARQACKCH region allocation IE in Region Table 302t Bit #24-26: Parameter dthat defines periodicity in 2{circumflex over ( )}d frames Bit#27-31:Allocation phase expressed in frames Sounding 213 5 For 5 bytes per eachsounding region Region Bit #0-31: Contains the following fields as inthe PAPR reduction/Safety zone/Sounding Zone allocation IE in Table 289Bit #32-34: Parameter d that defines periodicity in 2{circumflex over( )}d frames Bit#35-39: Allocation phase expressed in frames

The broadcast message may include allocation information about at leastone UL control region among pieces of information listed in Table 1,i.e., the broadcast message may include allocation information about aranging region (an initial ranging region, a handover ranging region, aperiodic ranging region, a bandwidth ranging region, etc.), a fastfeedback region in which a CQI is fed back, an HARQ ACK region in whichan HARQ response signal is fed back, and a sounding region carrying asounding signal. Allocation information about each UL control region mayinclude an Allocation Information Element (IE), a Periodicity indicatinga period for a UL control region, and an Allocation Phase indicating thestart point of the periodicity. The Periodicity is a parameter ‘d’ thatdefines periodicity in 2̂d frames and the Allocation Phase is expressedin frames in Table 1.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the MS for detectinga resource allocation information message in the broadband wirelesscommunication system according to a third exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the MAP interpreter 313 determines whether areceived frame has a MAP message in step 801.

In the presence of the MAP message, the MAP interpreter 313 determineswhether the MAP reception is normal by a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)check on the MAP message in step 803.

If the MAP message is not normal, the MAP interpreter 313 controls theMS to be inoperative during the frame in step 805.

If the MAP message is normal, the MAP interpreter 313 determines whetherUL control region allocation information exists in the MAP message instep 807.

In the presence of the UL control region allocation information, the MAPinterpreter 313 updates current UL control region allocation informationwith the received UL control region allocation information in step 809and stores the updated UL control region allocation information in step811, i.e., the MAP interpreter 313 updates the stored previous ULcontrol region allocation information to the new UL control regionallocation information.

In the absence of the UL control region allocation information in step807, the MAP interpreter 313 determines whether a UCD includes ULcontrol region allocation information in step 813.

In the presence of the UL control region allocation information in theUCD, the MAP interpreter 313 stores the UL control region allocationinformation in step 811, i.e., the MAP interpreter 313 updates theexisting UL control region allocation information to the new UL controlregion allocation information.

After storing the UL control region allocation information, the MAPinterpreter 313 acquires a MAP IE for the MS in step 815.

As is apparent from the above description, the present inventionadvantageously increases the data rate of user data by reducing thevolume of resource allocation information messages by periodicallytransmitting a resource allocation information message associated with aspecific region among resource allocation information messages directedfrom a BS to an MS in a broadband wireless communication system.

While the present invention has been shown and described with referenceto certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention asdefined by the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for operating a base station in awireless communication system, the method comprising: transmitting amessage including information indicating a periodicity of an uplinkcontrol channel for an initial network entry; and receiving an uplinksignal for the initial network entry through the uplink control channel.2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the message comprisesbroadcasting the message to a plurality of mobile stations.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the information indicates that theperiodicity is one (1) frame or two (2) frames.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein the periodicity indicates frames including the uplink controlchannel, and wherein the information further indicates a position of theuplink control channel in each of the frames.
 5. A method for operatinga mobile station (MS) in a wireless communication system, the methodcomprising: receiving a message including information indicating aperiodicity of an uplink control channel for an initial network entry;and transmitting an uplink signal for the initial network entry throughthe uplink control channel.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereintransmitting the uplink signal comprises transmitting the uplink signalin a frame indicated by the information.
 7. The method of claim 5,wherein receiving the message comprises receiving the messagebroadcasted to a plurality of MSs including the MS.
 8. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the information indicates that the periodicity is one(1) frame or two (2) frames.
 9. The method of claim 5, wherein theperiodicity indicates frames including the uplink control channel, andwherein the information further indicates a position of the uplinkcontrol channel in each of the frames.
 10. An apparatus for a basestation in a wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising: atransmitter configured to transmit a message including informationindicating a periodicity of an uplink control channel for an initialnetwork entry; and a receiver configured to receive an uplink signal forthe initial network entry through the uplink control channel.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the transmitter is further configured tobroadcast the message to a plurality of mobile stations (MSs).
 12. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the information indicates that theperiodicity is one (1) frame or two (2) frames.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the periodicity indicates frames including the uplinkcontrol channel, and wherein the information further indicates aposition of the uplink control channel in each of the frames.
 14. Anapparatus for operating a mobile station (MS) in a wirelesscommunication system, the apparatus comprising: a receiver configured toreceive a message including information indicating a periodicity of anuplink control channel for an initial network entry; and a transmitterconfigured to transmit an uplink signal for the initial network entrythrough the uplink control channel.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the uplinksignal in a frame indicated by the information.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive themessage broadcasted to a plurality of MSs including the MS.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein the information indicates that theperiodicity is one (1) frame or two (2) frames.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the periodicity indicates frames including the uplinkcontrol channel, and wherein the information further indicates aposition of the uplink control channel in each of the frames.